Growth performance of calves fed microbially enhanced soy protein in pelleted starters

Abstract

Our objective was to determine effects of feeding calves pelleted starters with microbially enhanced (fungi-treated) soy protein (MSP) in replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with different milk replacers (MR). Thirty-six Holstein calves (2 d old; 24 females, 12 males) in individual hutches were used in a 12-wk randomized complete block design study. Treatments were (1) MSP pellets with MR formulated for accelerated growth (28% crude protein, 18% fat; MSPA), (2) SBM pellets with MR formulated for accelerated growth (SBMA), and (3) MSP pellets with conventional MR (20% crude protein, 20% fat; MSPC). Pellets were similar except for 23% MSP or 23% SBM (dry matter basis). Pellets and water were fed ad libitum throughout the study. Feeding rates of MR on a dry matter basis were 0.37kg twice daily during wk 1, 0.45kg twice daily during wk 2 to 5, and 0.45kg once daily during wk 6. Intakes were recorded daily. Body weights, frame size measurements, and jugular blood samples were collected 2 d every 2 wk at 3 h after the morning feeding. Fecal grab samples were collected 5 times per d for 3 d during wk 12 and then composited by calf for analysis of apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients using acid detergent insoluble ash as an internal marker. Total and starter pellet dry matter intake were greatest for calves fed SBMA and least for MSPC. Calves had similar average daily gain among treatments, but there was a treatment by week interaction and during the last few weeks of the study calves on MSPC had less body weight compared with MSPA or SBMA. Gain-to-feed ratio was similar among treatments; however, there was a treatment by week interaction. Serum glucose was similar among treatments. Plasma urea nitrogen was greatest for calves fed MSPA and least for MSPC. Plasma concentrations of IGF-1 were greatest for calves fed SBMA. Plasma concentrations of triglycerides were greatest for calves fed MSPC. Plasma concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate had a treatment by time interaction. Treatments had similar total-tract dry matter digestibility, but calves fed MSPC had greater crude protein digestibility than SBMA, with MSPA similar to both. Results demonstrated calves fed pelleted starters with MSP had maintained growth performance with less starter intake compared with SBM.

Interaction between the physical forms of starter and forage source on growth performance and blood metabolites of Holstein dairy calves

“…Similar levels of plasma glucose among the treatments in our study indicated that calves were similar in energy status across diets (Senevirathne et al, 2017). As calves age, the concentration of plasma BHB increases, mainly due to an increase in starter feed intake and consequent rumen development (Nemati et al, 2015).…”

Growth performance and health of dairy calves given water treated with a reverse osmosis system compared with municipal city water

“…Body length was greater (P < 0.01) in calves fed RW than MW in the second week and then comparable throughout the rest of the study (data not shown), which resulted in tendency for a treatment by week interaction (P = 0.08) with calves fed RW having 0.65 cm greater body length than calves fed MW. Overall, BCS were similar between treatments (Table 5) and BW, ADG, and frame growth measurements were comparable to research conducted with calves on similar diets and during a similar period of age (Stamey et al, 2012;Senevirathne et al, 2017).…”

“…Both treatment groups showed slow increases in starter intake preweaning and a rapid increase in starter intake was observed during the postweaning period. Similarly, a slow increase in starter intake during the preweaning period and a rapid increase in starter intake during weaning has been demonstrated in other research (Khan et al, 2007;Senevirathne et al, 2017).…”

“…Apparent total-tract digestibility of DM, CP, ADF, and NDF were similar between treatments (Table 8). Limited research exists on the effects of water quality on apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients in calves during this age; however, digestibility of DM, CP, ADF, and NDF were comparable to other studies (Khan et al, 2007;Senevirathne et al, 2017). Even though we found greater DMI in calves fed RW than MW, nutrient digestibility was similar between treatments; therefore, differences in water intake or composition were not enough to influence total-tract nutrient digestibility.…”

“…Concentrations of PUN, glucose, and BHB were similar between treatments (Table 6). Blood metabolite concentrations were in the normal range for calves at this age (Senevirathne et al, 2017). Plasma urea nitrogen concentrations gradually increased in both treatments from 2 to 10 wk, and this increase was associated with the increase in DMI and, consequentially, CP.…”